. >>> now, we turn overseas to rome and the dramatic scene at the vatican today. pope benedict making his first appearance since his resignation announcement. there was a kind of rumbling in rome, a kind of aftershock and abc's dan harris is at the vatican to tell us more. >> reporter: on this ash wednesday, at his last public mass, pope benedict received a rare, rapture rouse standing ovation. earlier in the day, at a public say mowny, a similar reception, with cheers and tears. benedict was visibly moved. how was the atmosphere in the room? >> electric. solemn and electric at the same time. >> i almost cried. honestly, it was wonderful. >> reporter: debeneath the applause, there are thorny questions swirling. we were struck by the fact that the pope said again today that he was resigning of his own free will. there's been a real emphasis on pointing out that the pope made this decision of his own volition. why? why is that? >> because italians love conspiracy theories. >> reporter: he's not kidding. the local papers here read like a dan brown novel, teaching wit